Moonshiners (2011–…): Season 6, Episode 9 - Green Dragon - full transcript

Josh and Chuck aim to get back on top but circumstances could leave them dead to law. Money threatens to destroy an age-old partnership for Jeff, Mark and Lance. Mark and Digger ...



Mike:
I LOVE TO MAKE MOONSHINE.

I HAD OLDTIMERS TEACH ME

THE INS AND OUTS OF EVERYTHING
THAT WAS GOING ON.

YOU KNOW, I AIN'T THAT OLD YET,
BUT I AM AN OLDTIMER.

IT'S A REAL SCIENCE TO IT,
YOU KNOW?

YOU TAKE CORN AND SUGAR
AND WATER,

ADD A LITTLE YEAST,

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST
AS CLOUDY AS IT CAN BE.

YOU POUR IT OVER IN THAT POT
AND PUT A FIRE UNDER IT,

IT GOES TO DOING ITS WALTZ,



THAT LITTLE POOMP-POOMP,
POOMP-POOMP, POOMP-POOMP.

COMES OUT JUST
THIS CRYSTAL CLEAR.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE
ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING MAGIC.

Narrator: "MOONSHINE" --
THE WORD HAS REVERBERATED

THROUGH THE HILLS OF APPALACHIA

SINCE BEFORE THE U.S.A.
WAS EVEN ON A MAP.

EACH GENERATION HAS KEPT
THE ART ALIVE,

AND FOR THE CURRENT CROP
OF SHINERS,

THE TIME TO PUSH THE CRAFT
FORWARD IS NOW.

IN TENNESSEE, A GIN CRAZE...

THERE YOU GO,
DOING THAT POPCORN DANCE.

...IN NORTH CAROLINA,
CHASING THE GREEN FAIRY...

[ RETCHING ]

WE'RE SITTIN' DUCKS.



WE GOT STASH IN THE BACK
OF THE TRUCK,

AND WE'RE WALKING
THROUGH A TUNNEL.

Narrator: ...AND ONE WAY OUT
IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

[ CUTIE PIE BARKS ]



� NO ONE CAN HOLD ME DOWN

� OR MAKE ME CHANGE MY WAYS

� SO DON'T WASTE YOUR BREATH
SAYING �

� CRIME NEVER PAYS

� WE'RE GOING FOR A RIDE

� RUNNING TO SURVIVE

� AND LIVING OUTSIDE THE LAW

� WE'RE LIVING
OUTSIDE THE LAW �

Man: THIS IS HOW
WE MAKE THE MOONSHINE!

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

LET'S SEE
HOW THIS MASH IS DOING.

OOH, DUDE, SMELL IT.

SEE HOW IT'S KIND
OF CLEAR AT THE TOP?

MM-HMM.

THAT'S WHERE
ALL THE ALCOHOL IS.

THAT'S THE BEER.

THE REST OF IT'S [BLEEP]

WHOO.

LET'S PUMP SOME OVER THERE.

DAMN, IT DON'T TASTE
BAD LIKE THAT.

Narrator: 60 MILES OUTSIDE OF
SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA...

LET 'ER RIP, BIG CHUCK.

...TWO SHINERS ARE READY FOR
THEIR FIRST RUN OF APPLE BRANDY.

THAT STUFF SMELLS GOOD.

THAT'S GOOD APPLES
RIGHT THERE.

Josh:
RIGHT NOW, IT'S APPLE SEASON.

APPLE BRANDY MAKES
SOME DAMN GOOD MOONSHINE,

AND IT USUALLY COMES OFF
REAL HIGH IN PROOF.

WE DON'T TAKE ANY SHORTCUTS.

I DON'T PUT FRUIT
THAT'S GOT PESTICIDES.

I LIKE TO GO AS NATURAL AS I CAN

TO MAKE THE FINEST QUALITY
MOONSHINE.

-GOT SOME CASH ON YOU?
-YEAH.

Narrator: JOSH AND CHUCK'S
SEASON CAME OFF THE RAILS

WHEN CHUCK SOLD SHINE
TO AN UNKNOWN BUYER,

COMPROMISING THEIR STILL SITE.

Josh: SOMEBODY STOLE
OUR [BLEEP] STILL.

[ GLASS SHATTERS ]

HOLY CRAP.

BUT CHUCK FOUND A NEW SITE,

AND JOSH DUSTED OFF
A SPARE STILL.

NOW THEY'RE ADVANCING ON
THEIR 1,000-GALLON SEASON GOAL

WITH LIQUOR MADE FROM
A FRESH NEW INGREDIENT.

YOU GOT ENOUGH
BATTERIES, JOSH?

YEAH, THIS THING'S
PUMPING LIKE CRAZY.

NOW, WATCH, IT'LL BE HERE,
AND AS THE BUBBLES GOING DOWN,

WHEN THAT BUBBLE COMES UP,
IT ADDS AIR TO IT, SAYS, "POOM."

-THAT'S THE THUMPER?
-THAT'S THE THUMPER.

YEAH, IT'LL TAKE IT
A LITTLE WHILE TO HEAT UP.

THIS RUNS OFF, WHAT ARE YOU
GONNA DO WITH THE LIQUOR?

I'M GONNA SELL IT.

I GOT SOMEBODY
THAT'LL BUY IT.

YOU KNOW WHAT
WE REALLY NEED TO DO?

PUT A DOOR IN THAT FRAME
OVER THERE

AND FIGURE OUT SOME WAY
TO WINTERIZE THIS THING

'CAUSE FALL'S COMING.

I'M SERIOUS, I GOT A GUY
THAT'LL BUY IT ALL.

THE DUDE'S A GOOD GUY.

LISTEN, MAN.
YOU'RE HELPING ME MAKE IT.

I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR DADDY.
I DON'T WANT TO BE, LIKE,

"NO, YOU CAN'T HAVE NONE.
THIS IS ALL MINE.

I'M GONNA MAKE ALL
THE SALES THAT --"

I KNOW.
WE'LL DO THIS.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A SALE,
YOU TRUST 'EM THAT MUCH,

THEY DROP OFF THE MONEY,

AND WE COME BACK
AND DROP OFF THE LIQUOR

AND TAKE THE MONEY
AND RUN.

I DON'T HAVE TO MEET
THESE PEOPLE.

I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY
ABOUT THEM STEALING MY [BLEEP]

WE TAKE THE MONEY,
WE HAUL ASS.

THAT'LL WORK, BUDDY.

IN DEAD-DROP TRANSACTIONS,

SHINERS DROP OFF LIQUOR
AT A PREDETERMINED LOCATION

WHERE THE CUSTOMER HAS LEFT CASH
AHEAD OF TIME,

REDUCING THE RISKS
OF A FACE-TO-FACE SALE.

WON'T BE TOO LONG.
SHE'S STARTING TO HEAT UP.

[ METAL CLANGING ]

SUPPOSED TO DO IT
LIKE THAT?

THAT'S EXACTLY WHY
A THUMP KEG

IS CALLED A THUMP KEG
RIGHT THERE.

EVERY TIME A BUBBLE HITS,
THAT'S THAT SOUND IT MAKES.

BARNEY USED TO TELL ME
STORIES ABOUT HE'D BE UP THERE

HITTING ON A HUB CAP
AND TRYING TO SING A SONG

WHEN THAT THING'D
BE SINGING.

[ LAUGHS ]

JOSH'S MENTOR, BARNEY BARNWELL,

IS REMEMBERED
THROUGHOUT APPLACHIA

FOR HIS EFFORTS TO KEEP
THE HERITAGE CRAFT ALIVE.

Josh: MAKING MOONSHINE,
IT KIND OF TAKES ME BACK

TO WHERE WHEN I WAS WORKING
WITH BARNEY.

Barney: EVERYBODY LOVE THAT.

Josh: BARNEY WAS TEACHING ME
EVERYTHING.

NOW THAT BIG CHUCK'S OUT HERE,

AND I'M TEACHING HIM
HOW TO DO THESE THINGS,

THAT'S HOW YOU KEEP
THE HERITAGE GOING.

YOU DON'T TEACH SOMEBODY,
THEN IT'S GONNA DIE OUT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, JOSH?

WE'RE HOT ALL THE WAY
TO THE WORM, BUDDY.

THERE IT IS.

THERE WE GO.

OH, SHE'S RUNNING PERFECT.

THAT'S THE DAMN POISON
RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S THE [BLEEP]
THAT'LL MAKE YOU GO BLIND.

NOW WE'RE CATCHING
THE GOOD STUFF.

HEY.
TROPHY TOAST, PVC CAPS.

OH, I'M SO EXCITED.

HERE'S TO OUR NEW STILL SITE
AND BEING BACK ON OUR FEET.



OOH, GOD DOG,
THAT'S GOOD STUFF.

WHEW.

STOUT.

IT'S GOOD.

YOU CAN TELL IT AIN'T CORN.

IT'S A DIFFERENT FLAVOR.

SMOOTH.

THAT'S PROBABLY 160, 170.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'LL TAKE
THE HAIR OFF YOUR CHEST

OR PUT IT ON.

OUR FIRST [BLEEP]
FIVE-GALLON BUCKET

SINCE WE DAMN LOST
OUR SPOT.

THAT'S WHAT
I'M TALKING ABOUT.

Narrator: JOSH AND CHUCK'S
FIRST RUN WILL YIELD 60 GALLONS

OF PREMIUM APPLE BRANDY,
WORTH $9,000 TAX-FREE.

-DUDE, WE'RE BACK IN ACTION.
-OH, GOD, MAN.

I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER
ABOUT EVERYTHING, MAN.



Narrator: ON THE
NORTH CAROLINA-TENNESSEE BORDER,

BOTH OPERATIONS
ARE HOPING TO EACH PRODUCE

1,000 GALLONS OF SHINE
THIS SEASON.

WHAT YOU SAY, OLD BUD?

SOUNDS GOOD.
LETS' TAKE A LOOK HERE.

BUT SO FAR, MARK AND MIKE
HAVE MADE 250 GALLONS --

DOUBLE JEFF AND LANCE'S
PRODUCTION.

WELL, LANCE, LET'S SEE
WHAT THIS STUFF LOOKS LIKE.

[ GRUNTS ]

MAKING ABSINTHE
IS A FOUR-STEP PROCESS.

FIRST, JEFF AND LANCE
ADDED ANISE, FENNEL,

AND WORMWOOD TO FRESHLY
DISTILLED CORN LIQUOR.

THE MIXTURE WAS THEN BURIED
FOR 24 HOURS

TO KEEP IT AT A COOL TEMPERATURE

WHILE THE HERBS SOAKED
IN THE LIQUOR.

NOW IT'S TIME TO REDISTILL IT

AFTER WHICH A FINAL ROUND
OF HERBS WILL BE ADDED.

GO FOR IT.

WHILE SOLIDS ARE FILTERED
OUT OF NORMAL MASH

BEFORE DISTILLATION
TO PREVENT SCORCHING,

ABSINTHE MUST BE DISTILLED
WITH THE HERBS STILL IN THE POT.

I'VE GOT THE BUYERS.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT.

I'LL GET IT GONE.

YEAH, THAT CAP'S HOT.

THERE IT IS, BUDDY.

PUKING THE STILL OCCURS
WHEN A FIRE GETS TOO HOT,

AND MASH SOLIDS BUBBLE INTO
THE THUMP KEG AND CONDENSER,

MAKING THE LIQUOR OPAQUE
AND FOUL-TASTING.

YEAH, YEAH.

Ramsey: DAMN, DIGGER.
THAT'S CLEAR AS A BELL.

IT'S KIND OF A SHAME NOT JUST
TO PUT IT IN A JAR RIGHT NOW

AND CART IT OFF TO MARKET.

A SHAME TO MESS UP
THAT GOOD CORN LIQUOR

POURING THIS DEEP [BLEEP]
IN THERE.

WE COULD VERY WELL SCREW UP
A DAMN GOOD RUN OF LIQUOR.

Digger: MARK AND MYSELF,
WE'VE TRIED TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE

A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

THIS ARTISAN GIN
IS MORE AROMATIC

AND MORE FLAVORFUL
THAN ANYTHING ON THE MARKET.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT I AM.

I DIDN'T REALIZE IT
30 YEARS AGO,

BUT I'M AN ARTISAN DISTILLER.

Narrator: UP IN
THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS...

LET'S GET TO PUMPIN'
SOME LIQUOR.

I'LL GO CRANK
THE GENERATOR.

...MARK AND DIGGER
ARE TRYING THEIR FORTUNES

WITH APPALACHIAN GIN.

A LOT OF THIS
ARTSY-FARTSY BUNCH.

HIPSTERS.

HIPSTERS, IF YOU WILL,

THEY WANT HIGH-DOLLAR GIN.

WITH A HIGH ROLLER OFFERING
500 BUCKS A GALLON

FOR THE SPECIAL ORDER,

MARK AND DIGGER SET TO WORK

ON THEIR VERY FIRST
BATCH OF GIN.

TO PUT AN APPALACHIAN TOUCH
ON THEIR SPIRIT,

THEY'VE DISTILLED CORN LIQUOR
AS THE GIN'S BASE

AS OPPOSED TO USING
TRADITIONAL BARLEY.

THEN THEY MACERATED
GIN'S SIGNATURE BOTANICALS --

JUNIPER, ORANGE PEEL,
AND CARDAMOM IN THE SHINE.

OFF WE GO. IT'S TIME TO
START LAYING IT TO IT.

I HEAR IT GOING IN.

YEAH.

NO, BY GOD,
I HEAR IT GOING OUT.

YOU LEFT THE DAMN VALVE
OPEN.

COMING UP...

LOST AND FOUND
IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

SOMEBODY STOLE MY OLD SETUP.
THIS IS IT RIGHT HERE.

...AND LANCE'S ABSINTHE
BRINGS JEFF TO HIS KNEES.

[ RETCHING ]

I HEAR IT GOING IN.

YEAH.

NO, BY GOD, YOU LEFT
THE DAMN VALVE OPEN.

DAMN IT.

[BLEEP]

Narrator: IN TENNESSEE,
TWO VETERAN SHINERS

HAVE MADE A ROOKIE MISTAKE.

WHAT'D WE LOSE,
FOUR OR FIVE GALLONS?

EVERY BIT OF IT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT
THE BIG PICTURE,

FIVE GALLONS MAY NOT LOOK
LIKE A LOT, BUT YOU KNOW,

WITH THE PAINS
WE TAKE IN OUR LIQUOR,

THAT'S A LOT OF TIME
INVOLVED IN IT.

I DIDN'T OPEN THAT VALVE.

I KNOW WHEN WE FINISHED UP,
I CLOSED IT.

WELL, WHY WOULD I COME THROUGH
AND OPEN THE FRIGGIN' THING?

'CAUSE YOU ARE YOU.

I AIN'T THE BRIGHTEST BULB,
BUT I KNOW WHICH WAY IS UP.

YOU KNOW WHICH ONE'S
OPEN AND CLOSES?

KEEP RAGGIN' ON ME,

AND I'M GONNA KICK YOU
IN YOUR DAMN OVARIES.

AIN'T NO NEED TO PUT NO DAMN
BLAME TO NOBODY RIGHT NOW.

THE LIQUOR'S GONE.

WE'RE GONNA SEE IF
WE CAN MAKE A LITTLE GIN.

Narrator:
NOW THAT THE BOTANICALS HAVE
SOAKED IN THE BASE SPIRIT,

MARK AND DIGGER
ARE STARTING THE FINAL STEP

TOWARDS FINISHED GIN --
THE SECOND DISTILLATION.

Digger: LET'S GET ALL THIS
STEEPED LIQUOR WORKED UP.

WE'RE GONNA STRAIN
ALL OUR MACERATED SPIRITS

THAT HAVE THE ESSENTIALS OILS
STEEPED OUT FROM THE BOTANICALS.

[ SNIFFS ] WHOO.
IT HAD A LITTLE FIZZY TO IT.

SMELL A LOT OF THE CITRUS.

YEAH.

Narrator: JUNIPER,
GIN'S SIGNATURE INGREDIENT,

HAS LONG BEEN USED
FOR ITS MEDICINAL PROPERTIES.

GIN ITSELF WAS ORIGINALLY
SOLD IN PHARMACIES

AS A CURE FOR EVERYTHING
FROM THE COMMON COLD TO GOUT.

WE'RE SIMPLY JUST GONNA ALLOW
THIS TO FLOAT INSIDE

THIS POT OF LIQUOR,
AND IT WON'T HURT ANYTHING.

NOTHING GONNA BE HITTING IT
BUT HOT STEAM.

LET'S LIGHT 'ER UP.

GET SOME STEAM A-GOING.

MY TURN TO BLOW UP.

IT STILL AIN'T BRINGING
NOTHING OUT OF THERE.

WHOA!
THERE YOU GO.

Digger:
I SMELL BURNT HAIR.

THAT'S JUST --
YOU HAVE TO WAIT ON IT

TO SPEED ON UP
AND DO ITS THING.



DIGGER, IT'S HOT-HOT.

YES, SIR,
AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'M GONNA TAKE THAT --

WE GOT LIQUOR.

HEY, HELLFIRE.

BOY, I'M TELLING YOU WHAT.

YOU CAN PUMP 'ER
OUT THERE AT THE STEAMER.

THAT'S LAYING THE EARS BACK
ON IT.

WE NEED TO CAST OFF
A LITTLE BIT.

WHEW.

Narrator: THE FIRST CUP
TO RUN OFF THE STILL

CONTAINS POISONOUS METHANOL
AND IS DISCARDED.

CATCH US A LITTLE
TASTE OF THAT.

I CAN SMELL THAT
PINE NEEDLE.

OH, HELL, YEAH.
I CAN SMELL IT.

I DON'T LIKE GIN...

BUT I'D LIKE THAT.

THAT CITRUS COMES THROUGH
GOOD AND STRONG, THE JUNIPER.

[ CLEARS THROAT ]
I'M A GIN MAN.

THAT'S WHAT GIN'S SUPPOSED
TO TASTE LIKE, BUDDY.

YOU HAVE DRUNK THAT HIGH-DOLLAR
[BLEEP] A TIME OR TWO.

I'VE SEEN YOU.

SON OF A BITCH!

YOU ARE THE MAN.

Mark: I REALLY GOT TO GIVE
AN ATTABOY TO OLD DIGGER

'CAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY GIN,
AND IT'S DAMN TOP DRAWER.

Narrator: THIS RUN HAS YIELDED
60 GALLONS OF APPALACHIAN GIN

WITH A STREET VALUE OF $30,000.

MAKIN' THIS GIN, THIS COULD
SET US UP FOR RETIREMENT.

I NEVER DID LIKE GIN, BUT I
MIGHT JUST FOUND ME A NEW DRINK.

[ SIGHS ]

THAT WENT RIGHT STRAIGHT

TO MY DAMN HEAD,
JUST A-FLYING.

THAT'D MAKE ME --

THERE YOU GO,
DOING THAT POPCORN DANCE.

DANCE ME A DAMN --
DO THAT JED STOMP.

I GOT 15 GALLONS OF LIQUOR
IN THE BACK OF THIS TRUCK.

I'VE GOT TO GET UP HERE

AND DROP A LOAD OF LIQUOR
OFF TO A FELLER.

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU,
I'M PRETTY NERVOUS ABOUT IT.

AT THE EDGE
OF CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST

IN EASTERN TENNESSEE,

MIKE IS ON A SOLO MISSION.

MARK AIN'T WITH ME TONIGHT
ON THIS RUN HERE.

HE GOT A LITTLE BIT
TOO NERVOUS ON THE LAST ONE.

WE HAD A LITTLE RUN-IN WITH
THE LAW OVER AT THE GAS STATION.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING OVER
ON THIS SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN?

HE'S LEFT ALL
THE BOOTLEGGING UP TO ME.

BUT I'VE GOT TO GET THIS LIQUOR
DELIVERED SO I CAN PROVE TO MARK

I CAN TAKE CARE
OF THIS ON MY OWN.

I'M JUST HOPING EVERYTHING
GOES WELL WITH THIS SALE,

BUT I'VE NEVER MET
THE FELLER,

NEVER SHOOK HANDS
WITH HIM OR NOTHING.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S
GONNA BE A LAWMAN

OR A RAT
THAT'S GONNA TELL ON ME.

Narrator: AS LONG AS THERE
HAVE BEEN BOOTLEGGERS,

THERE HAVE BEEN STING OPERATIONS
DESIGNED TO CATCH THEM.

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS BOOZE
STINGS OF THE 20th CENTURY

OCCURRED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.,
DURING PROHIBITION

WHEN ILLEGAL ALCOHOL
HAD INFILTRATED

THE HIGHEST ECHELONS
OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

BY 1929, LIQUOR WAS SO PREVALENT
ON CAPITOL HILL

THAT CONGRESS'S MAIN BOOTLEGGER,
GEORGE CASSIDAY,

ACTUALLY HAD AN OFFICE IN THE
RUSSELL BUILDING OF THE SENATE.

CASSIDAY ALLEGEDLY MADE UP
TO 25 DELIVERIES A DAY

TO ALL THREE BRANCHES
OF GOVERNMENT

AND GOT AWAY WITH IT
FOR 10 YEARS.

EVENTUALLY, VICE PRESIDENT
CHARLES CURTIS HAD ENOUGH

AND SET UP AN ELABORATE STING
OPERATION TO ENSNARE CASSIDAY.

USING A SENATOR
AND AN UNDERCOVER AGENT,

VICE PRESIDENT CURTIS ARRANGED

FOR A DELIVERY
IN THE SENATE PARKING LOT.

WHEN CASSIDAY ARRIVED,

HE WAS ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION
OF SIX BOTTLES OF GIN.

HE WAS TRIED AND SENTENCED
TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON.

[ SIGHS ]

Mike: YEAH, THERE'S A LOT
OF GUYS OVER HERE

THAT GOT BUSTED
FOR RUNNING LIQUOR.

THEY HAD MOST
OF THE TERRITORY,

SELLING TO A WHOLE
BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

BUT IT'S A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY

FOR ME AND MARK TO TAKE OVER
THE WHOLE TERRITORY TOGETHER.



[BLEEP] THE ONE TO
SEND YOU OVER HERE?

YEP.

HOW MUCH YOU LOOKIN'
TO GET?

WHAT YOU GOT?

YOU KNOW THE PRICE ALREADY.

LET'S SEE SOME MONEY, WE'LL
GET YOUR LIQUOR LOADED UP.

THAT LOOKS LIKE
SHE'S ALL THERE.

[ GRUNTS ]

I APPRECIATE IT.

DON'T TELL NOBODY
WHERE YOU GOT IT.

I HEARD THAT.
GET OUT OF HERE WITH IT.

THEM GUYS FIND OUT
THAT ME AND MARK

TAKING OVER A BUNCH OF CLIENTS,

THEY'LL BE TRYING TO SLIP IN
AND CATCH US

AND RAT US OUT
AND STUFF LIKE THAT,

SO WE'RE TAKING
A REAL BIG RISK.

BUT IT'S A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY

FOR ME AND MARK
TO MAKE REAL GOOD MONEY.



[ BIRDS SQUAWKING ]

YOU READY TO MAKE SOME MONEY?

DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY,
BUT IT'S HARD FOR ME

TO TRUST YOUR JUDGE OF CHARACTER
AT THIS POINT.

I WAS WORRIED ABOUT
THE LAST GUY,

I HAD A WEIRD FEELING ABOUT IT,
AND YOU INSISTED ON IT.

AND THEN LOOK WHAT HAPPENED.

Narrator:
ON THE CAROLINA PIEDMONT,

JOSH AND CHUCK ARE TAKING ON

A MOONSHINER'S
MOST DANGEROUS TASK --

BOOTLEGGING.

THE GUY'S A GOOD DUDE.

ALL RIGHT, MAN.
WE GOT THIS.

I MEAN, IF YOU FEEL
THAT BAD ABOUT IT,

HELL, TURN AROUND,
WE'LL GO BACK.

WE AIN'T TURNING AROUND.
WE AIN'T GOT TO DO IT.

AS LONG AS THE MONEY'S THERE,
WE'RE GONNA DO A DROP OFF,

AND THAT'LL BE
THE END OF IT.

[ ENGINE REVS ]

ALL RIGHT, MAN, HERE IT IS.

MONEY'S IN THE TUNNEL.

WHY IN THE HELL WOULD YOU
SET UP A DEAL IN A TUNNEL?

THE MONEY'S IN THE TUNNEL.

WHERE?

IT'S HERE.
WE GOT TO LOOK FOR IT.

Josh: THIS IS REAL SKETCHY.

IT WOULD BE THE PERFECT
PLACE FOR A SETUP.

YOU'RE STUCK IN A TUNNEL.

ALL THE LAW'S GOT TO DO
IS PULL UP ON EITHER END.

THERE'S NOWHERE TO GO.

AND WHERE THE HELL'S THE MONEY?
WHAT, YOU GOT A MAGIC BRICK

THAT'S GONNA COME OUT
OF THE WALL OR SOMETHING?

I DON'T SEE HOW THERE COULD BE
ANY MONEY HID IN THERE.

WELL, IT'S HERE.

COME ON.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

WE'RE GOING TO JAIL.

ALL WE GOT TO DO IS FIND
THE MONEY. COME ON.

WE'RE SITTIN' DUCKS.

NO, WE AIN'T. COME ON.
WE'RE SITTIN' DUCKS --

WE'RE SITTIN' DUCKS.

WE GOT STASH IN THE BACK
OF THE TRUCK,

AND WE'RE WALKING
THROUGH A TUNNEL.

THERE'S A HEART.
HE SAID LIKE A GREEN HEART.

SO, WE JUST GOT TO
FIND THAT.

THERE'S HEARTS ALL OVER
THE WALL, BIG CHUCK.

I KNOW IT.

[ CUTIE PIE BARKING ]

LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN.

[ BARKING CONTINUES ]



Josh: WHY IN THE HELL WOULD
YOU SET UP A DEAL IN A TUNNEL?

WE'RE SITTIN' DUCKS.

Chuck:
NO, WE AIN'T, COME ON.

Narrator: IN SOUTH CAROLINA,

JOSH AND CHUCK'S 30-GALLON SALE
OF APPLE BRANDY

COULD EARN THEM 4,500 BUCKS

OR AS MANY AS THREE YEARS
BEHIND BARS.

[ CUTIE PIE BARKING ]

LISTEN, LISTEN,
LISTEN, BE QUIET.

[ WATER RUSHING ]

NO CAR.
THAT'S THE WATER, MAN.

THAT'S THE WATER.
YOU'RE PARANOID AS HELL.

YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT,
I'M PARANOID.

LET'S JUST FIND IT.

I'M LEAVING.

HEY...

LET'S GO.

HEY, COME HERE,
LOOK, DUDE.

HEY.

[ RATTLING ]

ARE YOU [BLEEP] ME?
WHERE WAS IT?

$100 BILLS, BABY.

I'LL BE A MONKEY'S UNCLE.

IT'S THERE.

LET'S GET RID
OF THIS LIQUOR AND GO.

I WAS DAMN NEAR ABOUT READY
TO PITCH A FIT.

THESE EIGHT BUCKETS, MAN.

DUDE.

PUT 'EM DOWN ON THE GROUND
RIGHT THERE.

I'LL GET 'EM.

[ GRUNTING ]

LET'S GO.

[ ENGINE STARTS ]

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

[ LAUGHS ]
WHEW!

OH, GOD.

WE ABOUT GOT THIS
TRAIL BEAT DOWN.

I KNOW IT.

WE GOT TO CHANGE THIS PATH
A LITTLE BIT.

I TELL YOU WHAT. I'M REALLY
HAPPY WITH THAT LIQUOR.

OH, YEAH.

ALTHOUGH THEIR FIRST RUN
OF GIN WAS A SUCCESS,

MARK AND DIGGER WON'T BE ABLE
TO SELL IT UNTIL IT'S TEMPERED.

DID YOU BRING
YOUR HYDROMETER, PUSS?

YEAH, I GOT ALL
THE PROOFING STUFF.

WE CAME IN HERE TODAY
TO TEMPER A RUN OF LIQUOR.

OUR JARS START OFF
140 TO 150 PROOF.

AS A GENERAL RULE,
THE CUSTOMERS WANT A 100.

PEOPLE THAT SAY
THEY DRINK 150,

160 PROOF LIQUOR, THEY'RE LIARS.

THAT JUG RIGHT THERE
OF 150 PROOF LIQUOR,

IT'LL BURN YOU FROM THE END
OF YOUR TONGUE

TO THE OPENING OF YOUR [BLEEP]

OH, YEAH.

PERSONALLY, I LIKE
80-PROOF LIQUOR FOR DRINKING,

BUT EVERYBODY WANTS
100-PROOF LIQUOR,

AND WE WANT TO GIVE THEM
THEIR MONEY'S WORTH, DON'T WE?

THAT'S RIGHT.
THEY'RE PAYING FOR IT.

THE TEMPERING PROCESS
IS JUST AS IMPORTANT

AS MAKING THE MATCH.

WITHOUT A PROPER TEMPER
ON YOUR LIQUOR,

IT'S NO GOOD, EITHER.

LET ME POUR THIS
40-PROOF LIQUOR

IN THERE AND STIR IT UP,
SEE WHERE IT GETS US.

LET'S SEE WHERE
THAT PUTS US.

HYDROMETER THAT,
LET'S SEE WHERE WE'RE AT.

Narrator: PROOF,

THE MEASURE OF THE ALCOHOL
CONTENT OF A BEVERAGE,

IS DEFINED IN THE UNITED STATES

AS TWO TIMES THE ALCOHOL
PERCENTAGE BY VOLUME.

SO, 150-PROOF GIN
IS 75% ALCOHOL.

BECAUSE LIQUOR FROM
A STILL DROPS IN PROOF

OVER THE COURSE OF A RUN,
MOONSHINERS TEMPER LIQUOR

TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENT TASTE

AND POTENCY FROM
ONE BOTTLE TO THE NEXT.

TO TEMPER THE LIQUOR,

SHINERS MIX ALL THE ALCOHOL
FROM A RUN INTO ONE BARREL,

THEN ADD WATER
UNTIL IT'S THE DESIRED PROOF.

LAST, THEY REBOTTLE
ALL THE LIQUOR.

THE INSTRUMENT USED TO DETERMINE
PROOF IS A HYDROMETER,

WHICH MEASURES THE DENSITY
OF A LIQUID COMPARED TO WATER.

SINCE ALCOHOL IS LESS
DENSE THAN WATER,

THE HIGHER THE ALCOHOL CONTENT,

THE MORE A HYDROMETER
WILL FLOAT.

65 -- THAT'S 130.

WELL, WE'LL PUT ANOTHER DOSE
OF 40 PROOF IN THERE.

Ramsey:
USUALLY LOWER PROOFS OR WATER

BRINGS THE PROOF DOWN
VERY, VERY FAST.

STILL AIN'T BRINGING IT
DOWN?

YEAH, IT'S 126.

WE MIGHT HAVE TO PUT A LITTLE
SPRING WATER IN IT.

YEP.

FROM TIME TO TIME,

WE DO WHAT THE OLDTIMERS
CALL WATER TEMPERING.

STILL 120.

REALLY?

THAT SON OF A BITCH
STILL AIN'T COMING DOWN.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
I AIN'T NEVER SEEN LIQUOR

THAT HARD TO BRING DOWN.

ONE MORE OF THESE.

MAN, THIS HIGH PROOF LIQUOR,

IT DON'T WANT TO GIVE
ITS PROOF UP.

I MEAN, IT'S FIGHTING BACK.

TAKE YOUR READING,
MR. RAMSEY.

DEAD ON 100.

I SAY WE JAR THAT ONE UP.

FINALLY, WE GOT ENOUGH
SPRING WATER IN IT

THAT IT GOT DOWN
TO AN EVEN 100.

GET SOME OF THESE
SMALLER JARS FULL.

NOW, BE SURE AND GIVE 'EM
A FULL MEASURE OF LIQUOR.

THAT'S WHAT POPCORN
ALWAYS HOLLERED,

"THEY GET A FULL MEASURE."



Narrator: HIGH IN
THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS,

JEFF AND LANCE
HAVE STAKED THEIR SEASON

ON A MYSTERIOUS GREEN LIQUOR.

[ SHUDDERS ]

[ SNIFFS ]



[ SHUDDERS ]

[ SNIFFS ]

[ COUGHS ]

[ COUGHS, SNIFFS ]

[ CLEARS THROAT ]

[ COUGHS ]

YEP.

WHOO.

[ COUGHS, SNIFFS ]

[ RETCHING ]

[ SIGHS ]
ALL I HEARD IS "AURGH!"

[ BURPS, RETCHING ]

[ RETCHING ]

[ RETCHING ]

[ SIGHS ]

YEP. [ COUGHS ]

YEAH.

Narrator:
LANCE AND JEFF'S FAILED ABSINTHE

HAS RUINED $2,000 OF CORN SHINE

AND PUT THEM EVEN FURTHER
BEHIND THEIR PARTNERS

ON THE TENNESSEE SIDE
OF THE MOUNTAINS.

Lance: DAD AND MARK GIVE ME
THEIR BLESSING TO MAKE THIS.

WORRIED ABOUT IT
'CAUSE RIGHT NOW,

WE'RE DEPENDING ON MARK.

HE'S BASICALLY FUNDING
THIS PROJECT FOR US,

SO I CAN'T LET HIM DOWN.

SO, I'M GONNA REALLY STRIVE HARD

TO GET THIS ABSINTHE THE BEST
THAT I CAN GET IT.

AT LEAST WE KNOW WHERE
THE BAD TASTES COMES FROM.

[ BOTH CHUCKLE ]



BIG CHUCK, YOU'RE GONNA
DIG THIS JUNKYARD, MAN.

THERE'S ALL KIND OF
COOL STUFF IN HERE, MAN.

GOOD PARTS?

YEAH,
THERE'S LOTS OF STUFF.

I'VE KNOWN THIS DUDE
ALL MY LIFE.

THIS IS ONE OF YOUR DEALS THAT'S
GONNA GO SLICK AS A WHISTLE?

I AIN'T GONNA SAY THAT
'CAUSE THAT'S WHEN [BLEEP]

GONNA GO WRONG.

IT AIN'T GONNA GO WRONG.

Narrator: JUST OFF A DESOLATE
STRETCH OF INTERSTATE 85,

JOSH AND CHUCK
ARE LOOKING TO OFFLOAD

THE REST OF THEIR APPLE BRANDY

TO THE OWNER
OF A LOCAL JUNKYARD.

THERE'S ALL KINDS
OF NEAT STUFF IN HERE,

SO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN,
MAN.

COME ON, CUTIE PIE.

[ GRUNTS ]

LET'S JUST SET 'EM
ALL ON THE GROUND.

YOU FINALLY MADE IT?

YOU KNOW IT.

AS LONG AS IT'S GOOD STUFF,
IT'LL BE WORTH IT, I GUESS.

OH, IT IS.
SMOOTHER THAN THE LAST TIME.

-OH.
-[ GRUNTS ]

I GUESS I CAN TOTE ONE IN.

I CAN'T TOTE MANY OF 'EM.

I'M GETTING TOO OLD
TO BE TOTIN'.

COME ON, CUTIE PIE.

THERE YOU GO.

[ CLEARS THROAT ]

YOU LEFT ME A LITTLE BIT.
YOU GOT ALL THE BIG MONEY.

I APPRECIATE YOU DOING
BUSINESS WITH ME.

CUTIE PIE CHECKING IT OUT.

YOU HAVE SOME GOOD STUFF, MAN.

I GOT A LITTLE BIT
OF EVERYTHING IN HERE.

YOU GOT OLD COPPER PIPES?

JUST DIFFERENT OLD SIZES?

THAT'S WHERE
I MAKE MY MONEY.

WE ALWAYS NEED PIPE
OR COPPER FITTINGS OR WHATEVER.

-JOSH.
-WHAT?

WHERE'D YOU GET THIS AT?

WHATCHA TALKIN' ABOUT?



THIS AIN'T EVEN
[BLEEP] POSSIBLE.

THAT'S MINE, BILLY.

SOMEBODY STOLE MY WHOLE
ENTIRE SETUP,

AND THIS IS IT RIGHT HERE.

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME
YOU HAD THIS?

I DIDN'T KNOW NOBODY
STOLE YOUR STILL.

Josh: WE ARE AT A JUNKYARD.

IT DOES MAKE SENSE
THAT SOMEBODY WAS TRYING

TO SELL SCRAP COPPER
OR WHATEVER.

WHO'D YOU GET THIS FROM?

I AIN'T TOO GOOD
AT REMEMBERING NAMES.

YOU GONNA HAVE TO TELL ME
WHO THE HELL THEY ARE.

I DON'T LIKE TO
START NOTHIN'.

GIVE IT BACK TO ME,
WON'T YOU?

YEAH, I'LL SELL IT
BACK TO YOU.

I WON'T GIVE IT BACK TO YOU.

I'LL LET YOU HAVE
WHAT I GOT IN IT.

HOW MUCH DID YOU GIVE
FOR IT?

I GOT $3,000 IN IT.

Ramsey:
WE LOVE THE NATURE HERE.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS PART
OF THE COUNTRY WHAT IT IS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD
AIN'T GOT NO IDEA WHAT THAT IS.

IT'S A CROSS BETWEEN
GARLIC AND A GREEN ONION,

I GUESS, AIN'T IT?

THEY'RE CALLED RAMPS.

BOY, THEY'LL STAY WITH YOU

AND MAKE YOUR BREATH NUCLEAR,
WON'T THEY?

[ BURPS ]
EXCUSE ME.

I'VE GOT A GREAT AMOUNT
OF RESPECT FOR MOTHER NATURE.

COMING IN HERE AND FIGHTING
WITH THESE ELEMENTS AND WORKING

AGAINST MOTHER NATURE
AND GETTING THINGS DONE.

WE FEEL A LITTLE MORE
CONNECTED TO OUR PREDECESSORS

FROM 200 YEARS AGO
IN THESE WOODS.

[ BIRD CAWING ]

WHAT ARE THEY THROWING
SUCH A FIT ABOUT?

THEY SEEN THAT CORN
WE THROWED OFF DOWN THERE.

YOU KNOW WHY YOU'VE NEVER
SEEN ONE OF THEM

SON OF A BITCHES RUN OVER
ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD?

THERE'S ALWAYS ONE UP THERE
IN THE TOP HOLLERING,

"CAR, CAR!"

[ LAUGHS ]

YOU'RE SO FULL OF [BLEEP]

[ BIRD CAWS ]

Josh: THAT'S MINE, BILLY.

SOMEBODY STOLE MY WHOLE
ENTIRE SETUP,

AND THIS IS IT RIGHT HERE.

IN SOUTH CAROLINA,

ONE MAN'S TRASH IS
ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE.

YOU'LL GIVE IT BACK TO ME,
WON'T YOU?

YEAH, I'LL SELL IT
BACK TO YOU.

I WON'T GIVE IT BACK TO YOU.

I'LL LET YOU HAVE
WHAT I GOT IN IT.

HOW MUCH DID YOU GIVE
FOR IT?

I GOT $3,000 IN IT.

Josh: KIND OF HARD TO SWALLOW
CONSIDERING BILLY'S

A REALLY GOOD FRIEND.

YOU KNOW, HE'S TALKING
ABOUT MONEY.

AND JUST MY HEART KIND OF SANK.

SO WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME
IS I'VE GOT TO PAY $3,000

FOR MY OWN STILL
TO GET IT BACK?

THIS IS SOME [BLEEP]

WE GOT TO HAVE IT. WE'LL MAKE
THAT MONEY BACK, JOSH.

[ SIGHS ]

I DON'T KNOW THAT I GOT
ENOUGH CASH TO DO THAT.

[ SIGHS ]

BIG CHUCK,
HAVE YOU GOT $400 ON YOU?

WE'LL MAKE IT BACK.
GO AHEAD AND GET IT.

WE NEED IT,
WE GOT TO HAVE IT.

I AIN'T GONNA KILL YOU.

IT JUST DID.

IT KILLED ME WHEN THE SON
OF A BITCH STOLE IT.

NOW IT'S KILLIN' ME
I'M HAVING TO PAY FOR IT.

I'M GLAD TO HAVE IT BACK,

BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE
I JUST PAID 3 GRAND.

WELL, LET'S LOAD OF
THE SON OF A BITCH UP.

UN-FREAKIN'-BELIEVABLE, MAN.

Josh: AFTER THE SEASON THAT I'VE
HAD -- BLOWING MY FINGERS OFF

AND HAVING MY STASH HOUSE
BURN TO THE GROUND,

LOSING ALL MY LIQUOR,
HAVING TO BUY MY STILL BACK,

IT'S BEEN PRETTY MUCH
A DISASTER.

THERE WE GO.



[ GROANS ]

Narrator: ON FONTANA LAKE
IN NORTH CAROLINA,

A MEETING OF THE SHINERS
SYNDICATE IS IN SESSION.

[ LAUGHS ]

NO.

WHEW! WHOO-HOO!

[ SPITS ]

[ GAGS ]

ALL RIGHT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S
A FISH LEFT IN THIS LAKE.

NOPE.

Narrator:
NEXT TIME ON "MOONSHINERS"...

-SUGAR CANE!
-...A SWEET NEW BREW

IN LOUISIANA...

[ ALARM BEEPS ]

...IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
TEMPERS BOIL OVER,

AND NEW MONEY IN OLD TENNESSEE.

Ramsey: WE'RE KIND OF OUT OF
OUR ELEMENT DOWN HERE, DIGGER.